General Motors Recalls 1 Million SUVs

If you think you’ve seen this story before, you have. Unfortunately, this is not a repeat: General Motors (GM) just recalled nearly 1 million SUVs due to a potential, serious, airbag defect.

The airbag defect affects the following 2020 and 2021 General Motors model vehicles:

2014 - 2017 General Motors Model Vehicles

• 2014-2017 Buick Enclave
• 2014-2017 Chevrolet Traverse
• 2014-2017 GMC Acadia

Please note, there are reasons to suspect that additional GM are affected as well, Gayle Law Group will update as new information comes in.

The Problem with the Airbags

As in past airbag recalls, the issue is that the airbags in these vehicles may deploy unexpectedly possibly causing severe injury or death. Each has a front-driver airbag module with an ARC inflator installed as original equipment. The driver's airbag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

The explosion can result in flying metal fragments which can potentially injure or, in extreme cases, kill vehicle occupants.

The Recall

Owners of the affected vehicles are to be notified by letter starting June 25, but no fix is available yet. Let’s reiterate that: there is no current fix for this issue. If and when there is, GM will send another letter when a remedy is available. In the meantime, GM says it will offer “courtesy transportation” on a case-by-case basis to owners who fear driving vehicles that are part of the recall.

It's important to note that the GM recall is part of a much larger request from NHTSA that the inflator manufacturer recall 67 million airbag inflators because of the risk that they may explode. ARC denied the request and the matter is most likely headed to court.

ARC airbag inflators are also found in vehicles manufactured by Stellantis, BMW, and Hyundai Motor Group, Chrysler, Kia, and Volkswagen.

Also note that it not only appears that GM was aware of this issue long before it issued the recall, but they also argued against the recall claiming the airbag inflators are safe. They finally gave in late May, the recall will reportedly cost General Motors an estimated $1.2 Billion.

What to Do Now

There is no current fix for this issue. For many GM (and other makes) owners, this is not the first time they have gone through similar issues and recalls. Regardless, call Gayle Law Group as soon as possible. You may well be able to seek recourse under the California Lemon Law.

What is California Lemon Law?

The Lemon Law is the California legislation put into place in 1970 to protect motor vehicle owners when their cars and trucks are defective – when they are "lemons."

The California Lemon Law applies to cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, RVs, motorcycles, some business-owned vehicles, and boats. For the most part, the car must be under warranty. (The vehicle might qualify out of warranty if it had an ongoing problem that required it to be in the shop several times before the warranty expiration).

It applies to purchased or leased new vehicles. It also pertains to used cars certified pre-owned and still under a manufacturer's warranty.

In other words, your vehicle is considered a lemon if the defects substantially affect its use, safety, or value, and an authorized repair facility cannot fix the issues within a reasonable number of repair attempts.

About the Warranty Requirement

The vehicle must be under a manufacturer's warranty to be eligible for relief. Although there is always some confusion over this requirement., cars, trucks, and the powertrain portions of motorhomes are covered by the Lemon Law if:

• The vehicle is new, used, pre-owned, or certified.
• You bought or leased it.
• When you bought or leased the vehicle, it was covered by the manufacturer's warranty (or portion of) or a manufacturer's extended warranty.
• The vehicle might qualify out of warranty if it had an ongoing problem that required it to be in the shop several times before the warranty expired.
• The manufacturer has had a reasonable number of opportunities to repair the defect.
• Or the vehicle has been in ‘the shop’ for thirty or more days, cumulatively.

What to Do If You Think You Have a Lemon

Document everything . . . and reach out to Gayle Law Group PC, your dedicated lemon law firm based out of Los Angeles.

You are the only one who can document what you are going through with your vehicle. You will not get help from the dealership or manufacturer. You must be proactive; ask the dealership for the documentation you are entitled to at every visit.

Get the repair order and invoice every time you take your vehicle in and pick it up. Even if they have not or cannot fix the problem ‘that day,’ ask for the invoice.

Never allow them to leave your ticket “open” while a part is being ordered. Get an invoice then and when the part comes in and the work is done. Remember, every visit counts as a ‘reasonable attempt.’ Again, it’s up to you to get and keep accurate documents.

Gayle Law Group, Your California Lemon Law Firm

We care about every one of our clients and work hard to get impressive results for them. We are as dependent on our vehicles as any Californian – we know how it feels to have a vehicle that won’t operate the way it should.

We pride ourselves on keeping our clients advised every step of the way. You will never be in the dark wondering what’s happening in your case. You’ll know every step of the way.

Our goal is to get you out of your lemon vehicle so you can get a safe and reliable one as quickly as possible. We know how important it is to you, how you are hamstrung without a reliable vehicle.

Contact

Based in Los Angeles and serving all of California, The Gayle Law Group has successfully represented numerous clients throughout the state over the years. Our experience spans across various vehicle-related cases, including those involving cars, electric and hybrid vehicles, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, RVs, and more. No matter where you reside in California, we are here to provide the necessary legal support.